Emile could not believe the scene unfolding before him.
He stared at the man named Elisha with narrowed eyes.
When he saw Elisha tend to Rieta during the day, he had expected that he had been trained as a knight.
However, the sight of Elisha easily cutting down these mercenaries who had gone through all sorts of hardships was not something that could be achieved through simple training.
Flexible movements that did not match his large body was probably an innate physical talent, and responding to the mercenaries’ irregular movements without being taken aback could probably be achieved through enough experience..
But was that possible at such a young age?
“Emile.”
Emile suddenly came to his senses when he heard Rieta’s voice calling him from behind.
This was not the time to stand idly by and admire the scene.
“I know this is unexpected, even for you.”
Emile looked back at Rieta with a surprised look.
Of course, he didn’t make that expression because of Rieta’s words.
It was simply because the moment he heard that voice that felt somehow trustworthy, he unconsciously felt ‘relieved.’
He couldn’t believe he was shaken by the trust of a puppet Princess who didn’t have a single penny.
“My feeling of not wanting death has not changed, even about the mercenaries. Therefore…”
I would be happy if you would step forward.
As Rieta whispered her request, Emile realized something.
The tip of Elisha’s sword narrowly avoided all of the vital areas.
It was not because of his mercy or conscience. It was simply a reflection of Rieta’s will.
“Damn it, you didn’t tell me that one of the Princess’s boyfriends was a monster!”
Emile held his sword and its scabbard in each hand, and he slipped between Elisha and a mercenary.
The swords collided with the objects he held in both hands.
Emile’s body stumbled for a moment, but he managed to stand.
He then nodded for a moment as if asking Elisha to excuse him.
At the same time, Emile hurriedly looked back sharply at the mercenary side.
It was none other than the mercenary who had shouted that he would hang the necks of the slash-and-burn people on the carriage a little while ago.
“You’re not so pathetic that you can’t afford abandoning the request at this point, right?”
He was talking about making a profit.
For mercenary work, fees are naturally charged depending on the level of difficulty.
“Even if you cut off the heads of all the slash-and-burn people here, King Liz won’t pay you for fighting this monster.”
If that happened, no matter how they looked at it, it would be a loss for the mercenaries.
It was obvious that if they decided to fight each other, the heads of some of the mercenaries would be blown off instead.
Emile looked back at Elisha and Noel.
When their eyes met, they easily lifted their swords as if they had no intention of fighting.
“…Damn it!”
The mercenaries who were watching this also backed away while swearing.
Perhaps it wasn’t very pleasant to be attacked so one-sidedly by a young guy, everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw each other retreat.
* * *
The commotion that night ended with the vague statement, ‘There was discord within the traveler’s group.’
This was only possible because the slash-and-burn people could not understand the words of the mercenaries due to the different languages.
Moreover, since the slash-and-burn people did not have the means to actually fight those holding swords, they would not have been able to question them properly.
Instead, they simply urged Rieta and company to quickly leave this place.
“Could you please let us stay for at least three more days?”
Elisha and Noel bowed their heads to the slash-and-burn people.
They didn’t want scary people hanging around, but they couldn’t refuse the earnest request of two young men who treated a village child.
“Is it because of… me?”
Rieta felt extremely sorry that they had made such a request.
Because they were worried about her physical condition and gave her some time.
“I’m glad you know.”
Noel came into the tent, sat down in front of Rieta, and grumbled at her.
“Why did you do something so stupid and make me worry?”
For all his complaints, Noel didn’t seem to really be mad at Rieta.
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It wasn’t the princess’s fault in the first place.”
“It is my fault.”
This was why these slash-and-burn people came into being, and why they came to hate nobles.
This all happened because the royal family did not do the right thing.
As a part of the royal family, Rieta felt a sense of responsibility.
“Alright, stick out your leg.”
“Huh?”
Rieta opened her eyes wide, and Noel pulled out the medicine bag that had been placed near her.
“What do you mean, ‘huh?’ Didn’t you hear that we have to reapply the medication every day?”
Rieta parted her lips slightly.
She did hear it.
Elisha changed the bandages every day, and he said it would heal faster if the medicine was applied everyday.
“What, what about the maid?”
“I heard she was sleeping. Do you feel comfortable having her serve you at night when she’s already worked during the day?”
“No, not really.”
Rieta hesitated, holding her skirt that covered her ankles.
Because she was injured so badly, she was embarrassed to show it to others.
…Of course, she would have shown it countless times when she had lost consciousness.
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